Daily Fantasy Basketball: FanDuel Values for April 5th

If you play daily fantasy sports (and who doesn't these days?!), you know that one of the keys to success is uncovering undervalued players to allow you to load up on studs elsewhere.

In case you've never played daily fantasy basketball, every player has a salary and your roster cannot exceed the game's salary-cap maximum.

For FanDuel leagues, rosters consist of nine players and the salary cap is $60,000, which averages to roughly $6,667 per player. To give you an idea of the range for Saturday's games, Timberwolves PF Kevin Love ($11,200) has the contest's highest salary while many are tied for the lowest at the game-minimum salary ($3,500).

There are a number of benefits compared to traditional full-season re-draft leagues, such as:

• you don't have to worry about being saddled by players sidelined by injury;
• having a late pick doesn't rule out owning studs like Kevin Durant or LeBron James;
• you get the instant gratification of winning your league(s) that night.

And you know that enthusiasm you have after drafting your fantasy team(s)? Well, you get to experience that feeling on a nightly basis with daily fantasy basketball.

OK, with the preliminary stuff out of the way, here are some value plays to consider for Saturday (April 5th) FanDuel leagues:

PG - Ramon Sessions, Milwaukee Bucks (vs. TOR), $6,600: Playing at least 40 minutes per game in his past six contests, Sessions is averaging 19.67 points, 5.67 assists and 4.33 rebounds per game during that span. In those six games, he has averaged 32.92 fantasy points per game with a minimum of 24.3 in each game.

PG - Shaun Livingston, Brooklyn Nets (at PHI), $4,800: Livingston scored 34.8 fantasy points yesterday and has at least 32 fantasy points in two of his past three games. No team has allowed more fantasy points to opposing point guards this season than the Sixers.

PG - Jerryd Bayless, Boston Celtics (at DET), $4,300: Not only is Rajon Rondo out for tonight's game, but Avery Bradley has also missed his past two games. Bayless should have an excellent opportunity to take advantage of the fantasy-friendly matchup tonight. The Pistons have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing point guards based on FanDuel scoring.

PG - Greivis Vasquez, Toronto Raptors (at MIL), $4,300: Kyle Lowry (knee) has missed his past two games, and if he misses another, Vasquez should have a third straight productive outing. In his past two games, Vasquez is averaging 12.5 points, 5.5 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.0 steal per game.

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SG - Victor Oladipo, Orlando Magic (vs. MIN), $6,600: In his past eight games, Oladipo is averaging 16.75 points, 5.0 assists, 3.75 rebounds and 2.38 steals per game. During that span, he has scored a minimum of 23.4 fantasy points in every game and has averaged 29.38 fantasy points per outing. The T'Wolves have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing shooting guards this season.

SG - Terrence Ross, Toronto Raptors (at MIL), $4,200: While he has lacked consistency, Ross has scored 31-plus fantasy points in three of his past six games including yesterday's game against the Pacers.

SG - Marcus Thornton, Brooklyn Nets (at PHI), $3,600: Speaking of inconsistency, Thornton has struggled to put together back-to-back solid performances. That said, the 76ers give him an excellent opportunity to score at least 20 fantasy points in back-to-back games for the first time since he did so on Mar. 21st and 23rd.

SF - Kyle Singler, Detroit Pistons (at BOS), $4,500: Over his past three games, Singler has scored 23 or more fantasy points twice and he has played 39 minutes in back-to-back games. In his past three games, he has averaged 13.33 points, 3.67 rebounds, 2.0 assists and a block per game.

SF - Chase Budinger, Minnesota Timberwolves (at ORL), $3,700: It's unclear whether Kevin Martin (foot) will play tonight, but if he's out, it should mean more minutes and fantasy points for Budinger. Budinger has four games of 24-plus fantasy points in his past six games and the Magic have allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to opposing small forwards this season.

PF - Andray Blatche, Brooklyn Nets (at PHI), $4,500: If Kevin Garnett returns after missing 19 games, it could take some minutes from Blatche, but the matchup against the Sixers is ideal from a fantasy perspective. Blatche has scored at least 20 fantasy points in three of his past four games and five of his past seven.

PF - Cody Zeller, Charlotte Bobcats (at CLE), $3,900: With Josh McRoberts out again, Zeller will get another opportunity to put up respectable fantasy numbers. In his past three games, he has averaged 21.83 fantasy points per game.

C - Spencer Hawes, Cleveland Cavalieres (vs. CHA), $5,900: While he's unlikely to match last night's performance, Hawes had a double-double (16 points and 10 rebounds) scored 49 fantasy points last night. In addition to his double-double, he added six steals and two blocks. He now has 36.1 and 49.0 fantasy points in his past two games, respectively.

C - Henry Sims, Philadelphia 76ers (vs. BKN), $5,700: While the Nets don't present a favorable matchup, Sims has scored at least 30 fantasy points in five of his past eight games. During that eight-game stretch, he has averaged 15.63 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.

C - Jonas Valanciunas, Toronto Raptors (at MIL), $5,500 : Valanciunas has scored a minimum of 26 fantasy points in six consecutive games and he has 30-plus fantasy points in four of those outings. During that span, he has averaged 16.5 points and 9.33 rebounds per game. The Bucks have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing centers this season.

C - Kyle O'Quinn, Orlando Magic (vs. MIN), $4,600: With Nikola Vucevic (Achilles) out last night, O'Quinn played 30 minutes and put up 10 points with six rebounds, five blocks and three steals. If Vucevic is unable to go again tonight, O'Quinn is a low-priced option at center to strongly consider.

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Daily Fantasy Basketball: FanDuel Values for March 28th

If you play daily fantasy sports (and who doesn't these days?!), you know that one of the keys to success is uncovering undervalued players to allow you to load up on studs elsewhere.

In case you've never played daily fantasy basketball, every player has a salary and your roster cannot exceed the game's salary-cap maximum.

For FanDuel leagues, rosters consist of nine players and the salary cap is $60,000, which averages to roughly $6,667 per player. To give you an idea of the range for Friday's games, Thunder SF Kevin Durant ($11,900) has the contest's highest salary while many are tied for the lowest at the game-minimum salary ($3,500).

There are a number of benefits compared to traditional full-season re-draft leagues, such as:

• you don't have to worry about being saddled by players sidelined by injury;
• having a late pick doesn't rule out owning studs like Kevin Durant or LeBron James;
• you get the instant gratification of winning your league(s) that night.

And you know that enthusiasm you have after drafting your fantasy team(s)? Well, you get to experience that feeling on a nightly basis with daily fantasy basketball.

OK, with the preliminary stuff out of the way, here are some value plays to consider for Friday (March 28th) FanDuel leagues:

PG - Reggie Jackson, Oklahoma City Thunder (vs. SAC), $6,000: Since tonight's game is not part of a back-to-back, Russell Westbrook should start at point guard tonight. That said, an early big lead against the Kings, who are 21 games under .500, could lead to plenty of rest for Westbrook. In his past three games, Jackson is averaging 17.33 points, 6.67 rebounds, 7.33 assists and 1.33 steals per game.

PG - Shaun Livingston, Brooklyn Nets (vs. CLE), $4,700: Only the Sixers and Lakers have allowed more fantasy points to opposing point guards this season. In his past 10 games, Livingston has only one game with 30-plus fantasy points. That said, he is a perfect 10-for-10 during that stretch when it comes to scoring at least 20 fantasy points.

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SG - Dion Waiters, Cleveland Cavaliers (at BKN), $6,400: Not only is Waiters assured of big-time minutes, but he has scored at least 30 fantasy points in five of his past six games. (The exception was a 29.0-point performance.) Brooklyn is an excellent defensive team, but their worst position to defend from a fantasy perspective is shooting guard. They have allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing off guards this season.

SG - Terrence Ross, Toronto Raptors (vs. BOS), $4,100: Ross lit up the Celtics for 24 points (and 32.8 fantasy points) while adding four rebounds, two assists and a steal on Wednesday and he gets another opportunity tonight.

SG - Chris Douglas-Roberts, Charlotte Bobcats (at ORL), $4,000: CDR has scored at least 22 fantasy points in three of his past four games and played at least 22 minutes in all of those contests. The Magic have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing shooting guards this season.

SG - Ben McLemore, Sacramento Kings (at OKC), $3,600: Even though he is only a rookie, McLemore has been a bit of a disappointment in fantasy this season. In his past two games, however, McLemore has been more productive by averaging 15.5 (real) points and scoring at least 20.7 fantasy points in the two games. The Thunder have allowed the 10th-most fantasy points to opposing shooting guards this season.

SF - Paul Pierce, Brooklyn Nets (vs. CLE), $5,400: Even though Pierce starts as a four for the Nets, he has played 31-plus minutes in each of his past three games and he's averaging 26.3 fantasy points per game during that stretch.

SF - Corey Brewer, Minnesota Timberwolves (vs. LAL), $4,600: It's never a bad idea to start small forwards facing the Lakers as only the Sixers allow more fantasy points to the the position. Brewer has scored 22.4 and 29.1 fantasy points in his past two games, respectively, and could be in for a big night with such a favorable matchup.

SF - Caron Butler, Oklahoma City Thunder (vs. SAC), $4,600: While Butler may not have tremendous upside playing with Durant, Westbrook, and others, he has been consistent with four consecutive games of 21-plus fantasy points. In addition, the Kings have allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing small forwards this season.

SF - Al-Farouq Aminu, New Orleans Pelicans (vs. UTA), $4,100: Depending on the health of some other Pelicans, Aminu could be in line for 30-something minutes once again. In two of his previous three games, Aminu has scored at least 25 fantasy points including 32.0 against the Clippers on Wednesday.

PF - Amar'e Stoudemire, New York Knicks (at PHO), $5,300: Facing his former team in his former home arena, Stoudemire could be in for a big night after a couple of mediocre outings. In his past three games, Stoudemire has scored 19.4-20.7 fantasy points, but he had 30-plus fantasy points in three of his previous five games before that.

PF - Jordan Hill, Los Angeles Lakers (at MIN), $4,900: More than likely, the majority of my FanDuel leagues will feature a PF duo from this game with Kevin Love and Hill. With the exception of Monday's dud (nine points, five boards in 14 minutes), Hill has averaged 41.87 fantasy points in his other three games since returning from injury. Over his past four games, Hill has averaged 18.5 points and 12.0 rebounds per game.

C - Enes Kanter, Utah Jazz (at NOP), $5,700: Now that he is getting the playing time he deserves, Kanter has delivered for fantasy owners recently. Kanter has three double-doubles in his past four games and six double-doubles in his previous 10. The Pelicans have allowed the 11th-most fantasy points to opposing centers this season.

C - Gorgui Dieng, Minnesota Timberwolves (vs. LAL), $5,300: Regardless of whether or not Nikola Pekovic returns on Friday, it's hard to sit Dieng. Posting a double-double in five of his past six gmaes, Dieng has averaged 12.67 points, 14.0 rebounds, 1.17 blocks and 1.17 steals (and 35.8 fantasy points) per outing in his past six. Furthermore (as if you needed more), the Lakers have allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing centers this season.

C - Timofey Mozgov, Denver Nuggets (vs. SAS), $4,400: With J.J. Hickson (torn ACL) out for the season, Mozgov has played 30-plus minutes in consecutive games. Not only do the Spurs allow the 10th-most fantasy points to opposing centers, but Mozgov had a double-double (14 points and 11 rebounds) and two blocks vs. the Spurs on Wednesday.

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Daily Fantasy Basketball: Some DraftKings Values for March 9th

If you play daily fantasy sports (and who isn't these days?!), you know that one of the keys to success is uncovering undervalued players to allow you to load up on studs elsewhere.

In case you've never played daily fantasy basketball, you select your team based on a player's salary and your team's salary cannot exceed the game salary-cap maximum.

For DraftKings leagues, rosters consist of eight players and the salary cap is $50,000, which averages to roughly $6,250 per player. To give you an idea of the range for Sunday's games, Thunder SF/PF Kevin Durant ($11,200) has the contest's highest salary while many are tied for the lowest at the game-minimum salary ($3,000).

There are a number of benefits compared to traditional full-season re-draft leagues, such as:

• you don't have to worry about being saddled by players sidelined by injury;
• having a late pick doesn't rule out owning studs like Kevin Durant or LeBron James;
• you get the instant gratification of winning your league(s) that night.

And you know that enthusiasm you have after drafting your fantasy team(s)? Well, you get to experience that feeling on a nightly basis with daily fantasy basketball.

OK, with the preliminary stuff out of the way, here are some value plays to consider for Tuesday (March 4th) DraftKings leagues:

PG - Will Bynum, Detroit Pistons (at BOS), $3,900: Despite the lack of playing time, Bynum has been productive. In his past five games, Bynum has scored at least 27 fantasy points in four of those outings despite playing 21 minutes or less in each of his past four games.

PG - Ray McCallum, Sacramento Kings (at BKN), $3,400: McCallum has seen an uptick in minutes and he has averaged nearly 20 fantasy points per game (19.38) in the month of March.

PG/SG - Randy Foye, Denver Nuggets (at NO), $4,900: Over his past 10 games, Foye has averaged 30.38 fantasy points per outing. During that 10-game stretch, he has averaged 16.8 points, 4.2 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game.

PG/SG - Patrick Beverley, Houston Rockets (vs. POR), $4,700: After scoring 34-plus fantasy points in his first two outings of the month, Beverley has averaged only 15.25 fantasy points in his past two games. That said, he has an opportunity to bounce back on Sunday as only the 76ers have allowed more fantasy points to opposing point guards this season than the Blazers.

PG/SG - Jerryd Bayless, Boston Celtics (vs. DET), $4,300: Over his past six games, Bayless has averaged 31.5 minutes and 24.63 fantasy points per game. During that six-game span, he has averaged 15.5 points, 3.17 rebounds, 2.17 assists and 1.17 assists per game..

SG/SF - Gerald Green, Phoenix Suns (at GS), $6,000: Not only is Green coming off a monster outing where he scored 60.75 fantasy points (41 points, eight three-pointers, five boards and three steals), but Green has scored at least 40 fantasy points in three consecutive outings.

SG/SF - Wilson Chandler, Denver Nuggets (at NO), $5,800: Chandler extended his streak of games with more than 30 fantasy points to three games on Friday. During that stretch, he has averaged 21.67 points, 6.67 rebounds, 1.67 assists and 1.33 steals per game. Even though the Pelicans have been excellent at limiting fantasy points to opposing three's, Chandler is a solid option considering his still modest salary.

SG/SF - Terrence Ross, Toronto Raptors (at MIN), $4,000: After missing a game due to his ankle, Ross scored 18 points as he knocked down six of eight three-pointers on Friday night against the Kings to score 29.0 fantasy points.

SG/SF - P.J. Tucker, Phoenix Suns (at GS), $4,500: Tucker has scored at least 23.5 fantasy points in three consecutive games. In those three games, Tucker has averaged 11.67 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.67 steals per game.

SF - Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors (vs. PHO), $3,800: Green has played in 21-plus minutes and has scored 23-plus fantasy points in each of his past three games. During that stretch, he has averaged 8.33 points, 5.33 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.33 steals per game.

PF - Marcus Morris, Phoenix Suns (at GS), $4,300: Morris has averaged 15.0 points and 5.25 rebounds per game over his past four games. During that span, Morris has scored at least 23.25 fantasy points in three of those games and has more than 30 fantasy points twice.

PF/C - Reggie Evans, Sacramento Kings (at BKN), $3,600: A great effort guy, Evans' production primarily comes from his rebounding and he has double-digit boards in two of his past three games. Over his past three games, he has seen at least 26 minutes and has scored more than 20 fantasy points in all three outings.

PF/C - Patrick Patterson, Toronto Raptors (at MIN), $4,300: In his past two games, Patterson has averaged 13.5 points and converted on five of nine treys while adding 5.5 boards, 1.5 blocks and a steal per game.

C - Kelly Olynyk, Boston Celtics (vs. DET), $4,000: The Pistons have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing centers this season. That said, Olynyk's minutes are a bit of a concern as he played only 17 minutes with six turnovers on Friday. With 27 minutes on Wednesday, however, Olynyk scored 19 points and added five boards, three assists and a block for 32.5 fantasy points.

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For those interested in FanDuel leagues, I posted some FanDuel values earlier this morning here.

If you play in full-season leagues, check out my rest-of-season Fantasy NBA rankings.

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Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire (January 12th Update)

The fourth overall pick in the NBA Draft 10 years ago, Shaun Livingston has never lived up to his potential and hype in large part due to injuries.

Since being drafted straight out of high school in 2004, Livingston has bounced around from franchise to franchise as the Brooklyn Nets are his eighth team.

While he has averaged just 6.8 points and 3.4 assists per game over his career, he has been a major contributor recently with Deron Williams (ankles) out of the Nets' lineup.

“I’ve been in some rough places, especially after my injury [in 2007], but that’s a long time ago. And there were a lot of different thoughts, but those doubts kind of turned to faith. My family, everybody that’s been in my corner, God, it’s brought me a long way,” Livingston said per Mike Mazzeo of ESPN New York.

With or without Williams in the lineup, however, Livingston has played at least 30 minutes in every game this month. Livingston has been a solid contributor in multiple categories, especially on defense: 10.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.2 blocks per game this month.

According to Tim Bontemps of the New York Post, it appears likely that Williams will not make the team's trip to London and miss another week.

Even when Williams returns to the starting lineup, Livingston should continue to be involved in the team's rotation and he's currently available in nearly 90 percent of Yahoo! leagues. With a rash of injuries at the point guard spot this year (Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, Jrue Holiday, etc.), Livingston can probably help many fantasy owners in need.

That said, if you play in leagues that allow lineup changes only weekly, please note that Livingston and the Nets play only one game this week.

Here are some players to consider adding and all are available in at least 50 percent of Yahoo! leagues:

PG - Kendall Marshall, Los Angeles Lakers (owned in 48 percent of Yahoo! leagues): With multiple injuries in the Lakers' backcourt, Marshall has run with his opportunity. So far this month, Marshall is averaging 13.6 points, 11.2 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game.

PG - Brian Roberts, New Orleans Pelicans (16 percent): The injury to Jrue Holiday (stress fracture) means starter minutes for Roberts at the point for at least a month's time, if not longer. Roberts shot only 2-of-10 from the field Saturday night, but he added eight assists and two steals in 31 minutes as well.

PG/SG - Randy Foye, Denver Nuggets (46 percent): Foye has averaged 17.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game this month. In addition, Foye has knocked down 20 three-pointers in his past five games.

PG/SG - Shaun Livingston, Brooklyn Nets (11 percent): See above.

SG - Jodie Meeks, Los Angeles Lakers (44 percent): Meeks is averaging nearly 20 points (19.7) per game this month. Launching a career-high 5.3 treys per game this season, Meeks ranks 14th in the Association in three-pointers made (76).

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SG/SF - Gerald Green, Phoenix Suns (50 percent): Green is averaging 14.8 points, 2.2 treys and 1.7 steals per game this month. With Eric Bledsoe (knee) sidelined for a while (and possibly the rest of the season), Green will continue to get starter's minutes.

SG/SF - Iman Shumpert, New York Knicks (30 percent): After scoring more than 25 points in back-to-back games to start the month, Shumpert has averaged only 8.25 PPG over his past four games. Even so, he has also averaged 1.75 three-pointers, 7.0 rebounds and 2.25 steals per game during that four-game stretch as well.

SG/SF - Mike Dunleavy, Chicago Bulls (27 percent): With Luol Deng now in Cleveland, Dunleavy should get plenty of opportunities to contribute for fantasy owners. Dunleavy has averaged 17.5 points, 2.0 three-pointers and 5.0 rebounds in his past two games.

SG/SF - Terrence Ross, Toronto Raptors (26 percent): Ross is currently averaging 12.3 points, 2.8 three-pointers, 4.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game this month.

SG/SF - Jeremy Lamb, Oklahoma City Thunder (15 percent): The 12th overall pick of the 2012 NBA Draft, Lamb is getting many more minutes this year (21.7 per game) than he got as a rookie (6.4 MPG). In addition, his playing time has increased each month from 20.2 MPG (Nov.) to 21.9 MPG (Dec.) to 25.2 MPG (Jan.). Not great in any category, Lamb has contributed across the board with the following averages this month: 10.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.3 three-pointers, 1.0 steals and 0.8 blocks.

SG/SF - James Anderson, Philadelphia 76ers (eight percent): Someone to consider in deeper leagues, Anderson has returned to the Sixers' starting lineup. Over his past four games, he is averaging 14.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 0.75 blocks per game.

SF/PF - Terrence Jones, Houston Rockets (47 percent): In four games this month, Jones is averaging nearly 30 minutes per game and a double-double: 11.5 points and 11.75 rebounds per game.

PF - Kris Humphries, Boston Celtics (38 percent): If you need rebounding or blocks, Humphries is averaging 10.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.0 steal and 2.3 blocks per game this month.

PF/C - Jared Sullinger, Boston Celtics (40 percent): After playing less than 20 minutes in three consecutive games, Sullinger has posted back-to-back double-doubles with 32 and 28 minutes, respectively. He now has double-doubles in all four games this month that he has played more than 20 minutes.

PF/C - Patrick Patterson, Toronto Raptors (seven percent): Patterson's minutes have fluctuated a bit this month, but he is averaging 14.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.2 three's and 1.0 blocks per game over his past five games played.

For more assistance with waiver-wire decisions, check out my rest-of-season fantasy basketball rankings.

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